Labor senator breaks ranks on 'new economy'

[Matilda]

2. I wish the government didn't allow themselves to be spooked about returning the budget to surplus.

I doubt most people give a damn - they want regular work. Every country in the world is in deficit, and ours is one of the lowest, so they should focus on stimulating the economy – we still need it.

Yes, our dollar is strong, but that's mainly due to the resources boom, which is heavily dependent on China. But every day now, big companies are sacking more workers. Walk down any suburban street and you will see empty shops, often for a year or more.

I'd rather the government spent a little more supporting manufacturing industries that will keep things ticking over when the mining boom is over. I wish they would tell us the truth, as Senator Cameron is. But they don't dare, because the Murdoch press keeps trumpeting Abbott's inane ravings, and the dummies out there fall for it, and the government gets scared and lets Abbott call the shots.

We need another Paul Keating right about now, but meanwhile, Senator Cameron is the only one talking sense.

And we definitely need more media diversity.